Inaugural NZ LGBTIQ literary festival to be held in February

New Zealand author and Auckland Writers Festival co-founder Peter Wells has announced the inaugural LGBTIQ writers festival samesame but different will run from 12-14 February 2016 as part of the Auckland Pride Festival.

Wells, whose 1991 short-story collection Dangerous Desires was the first gay-themed book published under the author’s actual name in New Zealand, said in a statement the festival will be broad in scope, featuring top writers as well as focus on new and emerging LGBTIQ voices.

‘samesame but different seeks to broaden the audience beyond core LGBTIQ to include friends, family and those interested in celebrating difference,’ said Wells.